Arsenal could miss out on Argentinean star Ricky Alvarez, as reports in Italy suggest that the 23-year-old is just a step away from signing for the Serie A outfit.
While Arsene Wenger is still trying to conclude a deal for Gervinho, sources in Italy claim that new Roma boss Luis Enrique is readying a move for the Argentine wonderboy.
Alvarez has publicly revealed his intentions to play in Europe following last season’s success with current club Velez Sarsfield, and the Giallorossi have wasted no time in preparing an offer to land the attacking midfielder this summer.
Alvarez was quoted in the Metro saying:
‘I know I’m being followed by some major European clubs, and I hear the rumours about me, but I just try to stay calm and down to earth.’
‘For me it would be an important leap to arrive in Europe, and it is what I aspire to do.’
‘I am ready to play in Europe, I’m the right age to make this leap and I’m waiting for this opportunity.’
Alvarez’s agent recently declared that his client ‘would be proud to wear the Roma shirt’, but the Italian side, and Arsenal for that matter – if they are still interested of course,, will have to fork out £12 million for the highly rated winger, who reportedly still has three years left on his current Velez deal.
To be honest with you guys, I was under the impression that we actually signed Alvarez on a pre-contract agreement like a month back, so when I read these reports, I was a little bamboozled. But after having asked a few of my Twitter followers, it became clear that we haven’t actually arranged anything with the player or club (thanks for the info guys).
Now in my opinion, I can’t see Wenger spending that amount on Alvarez, not this summer anyway, purely for the fact that the Frenchman has other business to attend to first. By the time Wenger sorts out the Gervinho deal (which looks to be concluding soon enough), the expected transfer of one of Chris Samba or Gary Cahill, and several others on his list, Alvarez could already be a Roma player.
It would be a real shame to lose out on such a talented player, especially to Roma, but perhaps Wenger feels the price-tag placed on Alvarez’s head is unjustified, if so, then so be it – it wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve seen Wenger lose out on a highly rated player to another club.
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Melo instrumental for brazil at the world cup??? You must have watched a different world cup to everyone else!! He was awful!! He even said he considered giving up football altogether after the world cup!! Get frimpong back then we got him and song!!!
In the one game which felipe melo didn’t play, brazil were a shambles….in the rest, he played the defensive role very well. And you read that he said he nearly gave up football, oh yeh….sure, I’m gonna throw away at least another 5 or 6 years of my working life so that I can look like a total idiot
This Alvarez looks to be a very talented player but nothing more spectacular than what we already have in midfield. Ryo Miyaichi seems he can be/is a similar player to Alvarez and he’s already getting helpful European experience at a good club in Feyenoord. I think Wenger would bring Ryo to The Emirates before buying Alvarez. Admittedly, Alvarez would be a nice-to-have but he just doesn’t seem like a must-have at this point.
Good day Gooners,
I saw this boy play though they lost 2-1 but I was impressed with the way he cuts in. He scored a brilliant goal with his left foot and it was outside 25 yard and that’s unbelieveable. If we don’t sign him I’ll probably say Arsenal are racist when it comes to players from Argentina. why? we never signed a player from that side of the world and it is time that we don’t ignore other countries coz this boy will be the best taking into account his age. Great asset for Arsenal.
Think about this….